The most delicious weeks of the year are back, with even more ways to experience the incomparable cuisine of Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Albuquerque and Taos. New Mexico's third annual Restaurant Weeks, March 4 through April 1, 2012, introduce the "Let's Do Lunch" program, giving daytime diners the opportunity to feast on two- or three-course prix-fixe lunches as well as dinners.

Santa Fe Restaurant Week kicks off a month-long, statewide culinary celebration that continues in Las Cruces (March 11-18), Albuquerque (March 18-25) and Taos (March 25-April 1). Some 100 restaurants statewide are expected to participate. In addition to value-priced lunches and dinners, people can take advantage of great lodging packages and expand their epicurean horizons through a variety of cooking classes, wine & spirits tastings and other special events.

"Now diners can take advantage of bargain prices for business lunches, office celebrations or leisurely mid-day get-togethers, as well as special evenings out," said Michele Ostrove, president of Wings Media Network, which organizes the local Restaurant Weeks. "The lunch option provides the perfect excuse to start the fun early and experience more of our local culinary diversity in an economical way."

Also new for 2012, dinner pricing will be individually set by restaurants, categorized in four tiers: $ (under $20 per person), $$ ($21-29 per person), $$$ ($30-39 per person) and $$$$ ($40 and over per person). Visit www.nmrestaurantweek.com to sort by price category, location and cuisine type to compare menus. Reservations are highly recommended for both lunch and dinner to ensure seating.